Melburnians now encouraged to wear masks in public as Victoria battles coronavirus outbreak – 7NEWS.com.au

The advice around the use of masks to help curb the spread of coronavirus has been divided – until now.
Following Victorias second coronavirus outbreak, Melburnians are now being asked to wear masks when going out in public in areas where social distancing may not be possible.
Watch the video above on how to fit a mask correctly
Through an abundance of caution, through the fact it is relatively easy, we should request of all Victorians when they are out of their home, and this relates principally to metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire … it is our request of you (to wear a mask), Premier Daniel Andrews said this week.
Its not compulsory, we are simply asking that if you can wear a mask where you cant distance, that is exactly what we would like you to do.
Thats a relatively small contribution but one that could make a really big difference.
Although masks are being encouraged, no fines will be issued for not wearing one.
Liberal MP ad medical researcher Dr Katie Allen said people should wash their hands before and after using a mask to ensure it doesnt get contaminated.
Try not to touch the mask, touch the ear parts, which go across the ear, fitted around the nose with a pinch of the nose and pull across the chin, Dr Allen said on Weekend Sunrise.
She added masks should be removed with the ear pieces.
And to help identify the top and bottom of the mask, just look out for the side with the bendy wire – thats the top.
For people who wear glasses, Dr Allen said the mask can be pulled out from the chin a little bit so that the air goes down and doesnt fog up your glasses.
For those with cloth masks, Dr Allen said they should be washed every night.
Weve got to make sure we keep recycling waste down so reusable masks, cloth masks are good, she said.
State chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton told residents to be crafty and make their own face masks instead of buying them.
Its advised children should not wear masks and people should continue washing their hands and social distancing.
Professor Sutton said studies made public in the last couple of weeks had shown that masks can reduce transmission of the virus by about 60 per cent.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison added that national cabinet, as of their Friday meeting, had adopted the revised health advice about masks.
In those circumstances that the (national) chief medical officer has outlined, it is not a broad application across the country but in designated areas that have been affected in the way that they have in those parts of Victoria, Morrison said on Friday.
The state government will order two million reusable masks and one million single-use masks to help cope with the added demand.
Victoria recorded 216 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday.
– With AAP

Click here to view the original article.